Place Guides

Porto’s Food Will Make You Want to Move Here. Start With These Dishes

A metal serving dish filled with a hearty Portuguese stew of white beans, chunks of meat, and garnished with chopped fresh parsley. A spoon rests inside the dish, and it sits on a blue and white patterned plate.

Tripas

People moving to Portugal tend to agonize over the same questions: Lisbon or Porto? Coast or city? Affordable or very affordable? Here’s one factor that doesn’t get enough attention: Porto has some of the best traditional Portuguese food in the country, and it’s food you can only really get in Porto. Yes, Porto has pizza, ramen, sushi, burgers, vegan cafés, brunch spots, and all the usual international options. You’ll also find Portuguese classics from across the country, including pastéis de …

A plate of cozido," featuring chunks of tender beef shank with visible bone, surrounded by vegetables including corn, cabbage, potatoes, and green beans, all served in a broth. The plate is set on a white textured tablecloth reminiscent of Portugal's rustic charm.

If you’re visiting the Azores, the first question you have is probably: what should I eat? Don’t worry! I had exactly the same one. I’ve travelled across all 9 islands of the Azores, sampling all of the wonderful different foods that these islands have to offer. This is a unique chance to try Azorean cuisine, which is very hard to find outside of these islands. There are some restaurants specialising in Azorean food in mainland Portugal, but overall, Azorean dishes …

A piece of caramel flan with a glossy top sits on a white square plate. Caramel sauce is spread around the flan, reminiscent of traditional Portuguese desserts. A spoon rests on the plate next to the indulgent treat.

Pudim Abade de Priscos

From Bom Jesus do Monte to Braga Cathedral, there’s plenty to see and do in Braga. But for foodies, a more important question is: what’s there to eat? The following are five of the most popular regional dishes that you should try in Braga. Bacalhau à Braga Portugal has lots of different recipes for its national dish. Some say there are more than 365, while others say that there are more than 1,000. Either way, that’s a lot of dishes. …

A white plate contains a creamy beige dish garnished with several prawns arranged in a circle. In the center, there is a raw egg yolk. Fresh green herbs are sprinkled throughout the dish, adding a touch of color.

Migas

Welcome to the culinary world of the Alentejo, a region in Portugal renowned for its rich gastronomic heritage. Alentejo food reflects the region’s rustic charm, so expect hearty and satisfying dishes that are characterised by bread and meat. Ready? Let’s embark on a journey through Alentejo’s gastronomic delights, and experience the unique flavours and wholesome dishes that make this region a true culinary gem. Açorda à Alentejana Let’s begin our culinary adventure with a classic Alentejo dish, Açorda à Alentejana. …

A round loaf of bread, reminiscent of traditional Portuguese baking, is cut into four sections, with one piece lifted to reveal a green, garlic-herb spread inside. The bread appears toasted and crispy with a soft, fluffy interior. The loaf rests on a piece of parchment paper on a wicker surface.

Situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, closer to Morocco than it is to Portugal, the island of Madeira is a unique part of Portugal with its own history, customs, and food. Many of these dishes are only really found in Madeira, and haven’t made their way into mainstream Portuguese cooking, and the only way to try them is to go and spend a few days on Madeira. Peixe Espada com Banana Peixe espada com banana is one of Madeira’s most …

A historical town square with a central statue atop a tall pedestal surrounded by a circular garden with yellow flowers. The background features colorful multi-story buildings, outdoor café seating, and people walking under a bright blue sky.

If you’re visiting Coimbra, or lucky enough to live there, the big question you’ll be asking yourself is: what should I eat? You’ll find all the most common Portuguese dishes in Portugal, for example, caldo verde soup, bacalhau dishes like bacalhau com natas and bacalhau à bras, and grilled fish. But those are dishes that you’ll find all over Portugal and you may have tried them plenty of times before. So, instead, look out for a few local dishes that …

While most people visit the Algarve for its warm weather and beautiful beaches, the region’s gastronomy is a hidden gem, offering a rich array of regional Portuguese dishes that you probably have never heard of before. Even within Portugal, Algarve cuisine isn’t particularly renowned, particularly when compared to the food of the North and Alentejo. Yet, there are quite a few regional dishes that are absolutely deserving of your attention — and your palette. The Algarve proudly presents iconic dishes …

Moving to Lisbon? The good news is that you’re headed to one of Europe’s safest capitals, where violent crime is rare and most neighborhoods are perfectly fine for daily life. But like any major city, Lisbon has areas that require extra awareness, especially after dark. Let’s break down what you actually need to know as an expat planning to make Lisbon home. The Reality Check: How Safe is Lisbon Really? Portugal consistently ranks as one of the safest countries globally, …

A small train station with two rail tracks and platforms. The station building is white with a red-tiled roof. There are electric lines above the tracks and a signal light. The sky is mostly clear with a few clouds, and trees are visible in the background.

Living in the Algarve without a car is possible, but some towns make it much easier than others. Many people assume public transportation in Portugal is excellent everywhere just because it is Europe. The reality in the Algarve is a little different: public transportation is okay, towns are often walkable, and you can get by without a car in the right place, but you need to choose carefully. For most people, being car-free in the Algarve means four things matter …

A brown leather wallet with a gold zipper is partially open, showing several euro banknotes in various denominations protruding from it. The wallet lies on a reflective surface, highlighting the intricate designs and holographic features of the banknotes.

Portugal’s minimum wage is €920 per month in 2026, and that number matters because it is also the baseline many people use when they first look at moving to Portugal. In some cases, if you have at least that amount in passive income, such as a pension or US Social Security, you may potentially qualify to move here on the D7 Visa. But that figure does not tell you what it actually costs to live well in a place like …

Place Guides

Porto’s Food Will Make You Want to Move Here. Start With These Dishes

Azores Food: 20+ Azorean Dishes You Have to Eat

Braga Food: Six Regional Dishes to Try in Braga

Alentejo Food: 9 Regional Dishes That You Have to Eat

Madeira Food: 7 Things to Eat & Drink in Madeira

Coimbra Food: The Best Typical Foods To Try in Coimbra

Algarve Foods: 10+ Local Dishes You Have to Try

Which Areas of Lisbon Are Unsafe?

Best Places to Live in the Algarve Without a Car

Cost of Living in the Algarve: The Breakdown